Andrew's Profile and Contact Details

Everything on the web is a work in progress: this website is no exception.

As of July 2018 I am a published author. Is That a Big Number? is a light and engaging book with a serious purpose: to understand why we all have difficulties in grasping large numbers, and to explore ways of extending the range of our number sense.

"This is a wonderful book. It sets out to make numbers, particularly very big numbers, comprehensible. And it is the only book I have ever seen that succeeds in doing that." - "A great book for everyone interested in numbers - whether you have a maths degree or just a passing interest." - "An excellently readable multi-purpose book" - "I haven’t put it down. So readable and engaging!" - "The book is wonderful and makes math accessible for everyone- just as it should be." - "Wide-ranging and highly accessible, this book is chock-full of fascinating nuggets, providing a rich source of colourful examples of numbers and how they are used. It shows how numeracy and literacy are two sides of the same coin." - "This is a fun and riveting book. Written in an accessible and engaging way, it is unputdownable." - “remarkably readable and entertaining“ - “so packed with facts … best book I've found in years.” - “strikes a blow against the false facts which seem so pervasive nowadays.“ - “We need books on the simple ideas in mathematics as well as the frontiers of research, and you’ve addressed that need very effectively.“ - “a good read, whether you're a number cruncher or not.“

I trained and worked as an actuary and the foundation of my work experience was in insurance information and administration systems. I've had extensive experience of:

delivery of complex systems within large corporations

consultancy within financial services (specifically insurance) IT

launching and managing start-ups

hands-on system development

hands-on statistical data analysis

I've always had a deep interest in systems architecture and structure and a commitment to the creation of efficient systems that deliver solutions to real business problems. I favour incremental and responsive development processes.

I'm always keen to learn of projects where my skills and experience can make a contribution.

With colleagues at Revolutionary Systems, I can pull together a small team of superb technologists to implement your innovative ideas for information systems, efficiently developed and robustly deployed.

My current interests include using behavioural analytics to address online security, real-time anomaly detection in data streams, and developing resources to promote numeracy.

Skype

Websites

Emails

Qualifications

B.Sc. (Stats) UCT,

Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries

Employment

Echo Central Ventures Limited Jan 2015 — Present

(Founder Director)
Echo Central Ventures develops opportunities in the area of datastream analysis, and its applicability for fraud detection and prevention, and customer experience improvement. We do real-time analysis of active data streams, e.g. from web usage, or from requests to an insurer's price quotation system.

Revolutionary Systems May 2014 — Present

(Founder Director) Revolutionary Systems was founded along with colleagues for providing IT consulting/contracting services as well as research and development into commercial applicability of emerging
technologies.

Open Square Limited May 2003 — April 2014

(Founder Director) Open Square developed innovative ideas for the "back-end" management of financial contracts (e.g.insurance contracts) using a generic "agreement" model. The "Pact" system went into production in several insurance companies, including the launch of the UK's largest telematics motor insurance provider. Other systems developed included a high-performance, high-capability motor insurance quotations system ("Napier").